Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Kim.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from the state of New Jersey where I spent my childhood or younger days, and grew to adapt to the way of living in Philadelphia/PA surrounding areas at the age of about 16 years old. All my life, I’ve been a different kind of person in the sense of never really seeming to fit in, in most cases personally, though on the outside looking in most would consider me pretty popular. My mother always told me, “You can’t do what everyone else does, you are different and must act as such; you’ll always get caught because what your friends do is not your way of life.” So needless to say, I was never a good criminal or ever good at being a bad boy growing up (LOL) but also, that lifestyle was lived for me before I was even born.
From being Born in Jail to my Parents separating, while my grandmother passed and moving to a new high school that was predominately white, all at the same time of me being 16, I’d got through so much chaos for a child/teenager to try and comprehend in any aspect of life. All in all, I still (’til this day) do not allow my traumas to define who I am, nor do I put them on others because I believe in growth and beating the odds of generational curses.
I’ve always had dreams of going to the NFL and got very close being a Division 1 Wide Reciever at the University of Rhode Island. I had a tryout for the Baltimore Ravens combine in 2016, but finding out my mother had cancer for the second time, with lack of representation (agents), the minor depression and politics led me to hang the cleats up and evaluate what was most important to me which is FAMILY.
I’ve always been into fashion, art, creativity, etc. and over the years, I’ve helped so many people build up their brands and supported them through traveling, word of mouth, Hosting and modeling. I’ve modeled for so many different brands in fashion, as well as cosmetic brands such as Shea Moisture, Naturall Club, and even partnerships with Perfume companies such as Maison Francis Kurkdijan. Pulling together all of my experience in modeling and brand partnerships, I decided to launch my own clothing brand during covid after coming back from Korea in 2020. I wanted to create something new, dope (as anyone does), but I’m striving to be everyone’s new favorite brand!
I was just in Paris doing some gorilla marketing this past April by speaking to people out there about my brand, took a perfume class of my own to understand scents better to potentially add that to my brand as well. And most recently got the opportunity to interior design the massage therapy area backstage at THE ROOTS PICNIC in Philadelphia while also having my brand on display for people to take a look at after they got a massage from the dope massage therapists that they had there for the artists.
The main thing that I’m pushing is my new clothing brand that I’ve begun to take more seriously this year, setting up everything from the website, graphic designing, and marketing all on my own, but I’m a full on entrepreneur so of course I have other investments going on simultaneously as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Whenever you start something it’s never smooth, and if it is your lucky, or you need to RUN! I struggled at first with believing in myself. I believed in everyone else’s brands or artistry before I did mine, but in healing (some), I found that I need to believe in myself and put whatever I create Out into the world because closed mouths don’t get fed. How can I be supported if I’m not even applying myself?
Once I got over not believing I could create dope art and clothing for people to wear and actually want, I began creating almost every day as another form of healing and self-realization as well.
Also when you first start something, getting people to support and believe in you also isn’t the easiest… I find alot of people rather watch to see what I do to say they know me than to jump in and support to be a part of the journey LOL but it’s cool I’m also a great entertainer so people can definitely tag along for the show. But I’m also truly thankful for the supporters and will never let the negatives outweigh the positives!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Handsome Harre is a fashion/Art style I came up with and kind of modeled after two iconic fashion/Art Moguls in this Era; Polo Ralph Lauren and KAws. The name was trendy when I was looking for a dope concept to come up with back in 2020. Currently, I have graphic t-shirts and Hoodies that I like to add high-quality materials too. embroidery on graphic t-shirts is something I don’t really see much of, so between the logo with the double H’s over the eyes (similar to Kaws’ X’s) and the Hare that’s usually dapper or very trendy, its something that I’m enjoying the process throughout doing.
I have a design team and also design most concepts myself, but I’m most proud of my growth and drive to continue to promote myself and my brand no matter if other people deem it annoying. This brand is a representation of myself but has also taught me to overcome judgment, rejection, as well as being able to take constructive criticism without involving my feelings too much whereas most artists are “sensitive about their shit” in the words of the Great Erykah Badu, I well the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to what I create and design and will use it all to fuel and push me to keep creating no matter what.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people don’t know that I truly enjoy a life of peace. I’ve been known for years as the turn-up king and Thriving in chaos, LOL but I truly enjoy the simple things, I am appreciative for all of the smallest things in life, and I truly don’t allow the things I’ve gone through in life define me or even allow them to be and excuse to not succeeding or wanting to succeed. Being born in jail, I could’ve allowed that narrative to continue to allow me to live in and out of the prison system, but I knew like my family knew, I was better than that and I truly know and believe that I’m destined for greatness… The Universe/God has favor on me and I will continue to make him/them proud and keep walking in the light he/they have given me.
Contact Info:
- Website: handsomeharreus.com
- Instagram: @handsomeharre or @King_Ross_
